The 21-year-old had scored five times in the previous four matches but he made the winner in this poor match as his 47th-minute cross was headed by Wes Morgan against his own man Esteban Cambiasso before finding the net.

There was one flashpoint in the second half as Marcin Wasilewski appeared to elbow Berahino as the Albion striker ran for the ball. The Pole could now face action from the FA today with Berahino admitting he is now a marked man.

"It was a clear elbow but I am not going to comment on it, the ref didn't see it," he said. "My face is not hurting so that is the first sign it was okay. I just get on with it. I will let the FA take care of it.

"I enjoy those types of challenges going to games knowing it is not going to be easy. It gives you extra motivation to put in extra work. It is great I am being marked that like and I am enjoying it."

Pearson amazingly sprang to the defence of Wasilewski insisting what he did was perfectly acceptable.

"It was really good defending," he said. "I've seen it and it was not a problem at all.

"Saido is wrong, I've seen it, course I have, it was good defending. Centre-backs get their arms up, it was fine. He's not gone to elbow him. It's called the clothes line.

"If I have a player who wants to run across me I'm going to put my arm up. If he runs into it it's his own tough luck."

This was a fifth straight match without victory for Leicester since their memorable 5-3 win over Manchester United.

"We did not perform badly and were slightly unfortunate," added Pearson. "You have to be able to deal with it and we will."